VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Radios, Tools, Accessories A C Oil Filter

Doesn't it just make your whole day when you go to a swap meet and come home with something like this?

Thanks-This led me to do a little more oil filter research.The flatter cover with the lettering closer to the center arroused my curiosity.

The 1950 was the first year of the blue and orange filter.(factory installed were always black).The 1950 version was AC number SC 649 and Chevrolet number 5572299.This was used thru 1952.My 1950 has one that was installed when new -I have the shop order for it.

1953-54 AC SC650 & Chev. 5572380 were the numbers used.They looked from what I recall the same as previous years but???

The 1955-58 filters were SC 655 and 5573580.They also looked like the previous filters but no longer had the drain plug on the bottom and were clamped to the rear of the manifold as the new air cleaner was forward.This also required different length lines.Also Tee fitting may have been different as the oil sending unit threaded in (1/8" pipe thread) rather than the gauge oil line.I have a new in the box version.

!959 is AC SC659-Chev. 5575218.

1960-62 is Ac SC660-Chev. 5576528....

1970 book lists AC SC353???

The later books list the filters (for replacement) as fitting from 1955-62.
Also 1962 was the first year the passenger cars came from the factory with a (black) filter.

Now from my observation the pictured filter is a late version.First clue is the white box.The earlier ones came in a blue box.Also has the flatter cover which was a 1959 change -as listed in parts book.This must be the year the printing was brought in closer to the center bolt rather than being on the much more outter raised rim of the earlier years.

The numbers on or a view of the numbered end of the box would be welcomed.Will all be helpful in advising in the future

I say that's a nice find and it would make more than just one day good...that's worth several days, maybe couple of weeks!

My pleasure to post another view. The information on the box is: SC-655 and under that number is: 5573580. The information on the cap: “Use AC P-115” and “Type S-6 AC Oil Filter”.

Based upon chevgene’s posting, and in anticipation of additional information, I plan to move this string from “Show and Tell” into the Tech Talk for easy reference to this excellent line of information.

Thank you Ray,
Just when I thought that I had the filter differences verified you completely put me back on square one.

AC oil filters have proven to be very difficult to identify as to the minor changes made to them each year.They were never classified as an accessory by Chevrolet but available as a parts installation kit from Chevrolet and -or AC.Various pictures found of the from both Chevrolet an AC are incorrect as often they didn't bother to up date a picture and a filter would be pictured for years after changes were made.Trying to determine what is correct by looking at a certain year car is also misleading as many times the filter was installed after the car was a few years old.

My SC655 filter has the same numbers as yours (on box).The instruction sheet for mine was copyrighted in Dec.1954 and instructions are listed for 1955 6 cyl.Has the cone shaped lid and dark blue box.Your numbers are the same but has the flat lid -which is listed as being new in 1959.The SC655 was still listed in my 1959 parts book and was discontinued in the early '60's.Did they use the newer style lid on the 655's made after 1958???-Or did the change take place in 1957 or 58??

Another interesting thing found.In the 1957 assembly manual the cone lid is shown and the return line on the bottom of the filter had an angle fitting so the line goes out away from the exhaust pipe and curves around to the bottom of the block.The 1955 version I have has the line dropping straight down-causing it to come much closer to the (hot) exhaust pipe.The page has a 6-20-56 up date for the factory installation of the optional filter.

Well back to square one for now :confused: :confused:

The S-6 is in great shape. Nice find Ray. But that leads me to a question. Does anyone know where I can purchase a new decal for the lid of
either the AC L-1 or an AC L-4 Oil Filter? The decals on the lids are both curved and say "AC Kleer Kleen Oil Filter L-1 (or L-4)"